"Now, in a future earthquake, the whole thing is incredibly rigid. It doesn't buckle and bend and drop anymore. It could save a lot of lives," Hudnut said.

The city has enacted seismic retrofit ordinances, mandating that vulnerable buildings put in the needed reinforcements. Building owners have several years to make the adjustments, but city leaders hope the work is done sooner rather than later.

"To building owners who are waiting - the time is now. Would you rather have something that is worth nothing because it's destroyed, and even worse, you lose lives? Or invest now," Mayor Eric Garcetti said.